Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

"Boy Riding a Turtle" Wind-Up Toy; by J. Chein, circa 1930s

About the Item

By J. Chein, circa 1930, this tin lithographed and hand painted American tin wind-up toy is all original and in working order. There are a few scratches here and there (from normal play and use); but for a nearly 100 year old toy, it is in very good and all original paint with no touch up or restoration. The turtle is painted in colors of yellow (predominantly) with a turquoise border and red dots, and an orange neck; while the boy is dressed in yellow. The action of the toy portrays a boy riding a turtle; and upon winding up the attached clockwork key and releasing on the floor, the turtle with boy rider, ride away! The turtle moves his head up and down while the boy rocks up and down, as the turtle moves across the floor (see attached 12 second video of operation). Works well (unique for this toy) but occasionally "sticks". Of American manufacturer (marked on the left of center of the shell of the turtle), the J. Chein Company was in Harrison, New Jersey, and one of the premier toy makers of the 1930's. Dimensions: 8" long x 4 1/2" wide x 4" high Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys. it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin toys that I have listed for sale; it would create an immediate quality collection, as most of these toys came, either from a long time premium California collection or from my own shelves. It would take quite some time and effort to accumulate toys this clean, authentic, original, operable and in excellent condition. See my other listings of vintage toys.
  • Attributed to:
    J. Chein & Co. (Manufacturer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 8 in (20.32 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Tin,Metalwork
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1930s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Incline Village, NV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU973233738652
More From This SellerView All
  • "Boy Riding An Alligator" Vintage Wind-Up Toy by J. Chein Co., N.J., Circa 1935
    By J. Chein & Co.
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Manufactured circa 1935 by The J. Chein Company in Harrison, New Jersey, this vintage tin toy, when wound up, depicts a young boy in islander garb, trying to ride an alligator who da...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

  • Vintage Tin Wind Up Toy "Boy Skier" by J. Chein & Co. American Circa 1950
    By J. Chein & Co.
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Very nice condition all tin, vintage wind up toy by J. Chein Company, New York City, circa 1950, "Boy Skier"; in all original paint and lithography; in ...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

  • Vintage Wind-Up Toy, Circa 1950 "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" Rare
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    This is a very rare toy that I have not seen an example of before, and judging by it's action and appearance, I would venture to say it is post war, probably made in Japan for the American market (boy looks very American). I have called it "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" which resembles the clockwork movement. To operate: hold the toy in the left hand with thumb on chest and then; wind up attached original key with the right hand several times; and release. With a smiling face, the boy will roll his head back and forth, while diligently shining his black boots, using an up and down motion with his right hand. The toy works quite well and will go on for some time. It is made up of several materials. The head, hands, and shoes are made of composition; it has a tin body; the clothes jersey, hat, and "falling" trousers" are made of fabric. The toy is in good original condition; some wear to boy's hat and jersey in back (see images), a slight "bend" to tinplate in the rear; but for the most part, the toy is very sturdy, works well, has a nice appearance, and wonderful charisma. This is a charming rare toy that operates as it should, and is a "must have" for collectors of post-war vintage wind up toys...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Japanese Folk Art Toys

    Materials

    Composition, Tin

  • Vintage Child's Toy Tin Large Spinning Top by Chein Company, American, Ca. 1950
    By J. Chein & Co.
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Highly colorful and completely operational hard to find LARGE tin child's toy spinning top made by the J. Chein Company, Harrison, New Jersey, Circa 1950. It works great and is in co...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Toys

    Materials

    Tin

  • Vintage Tin Wind-up Toy "Doughboy" by J.Chein Company. American Circa 1930
    By J. Chein & Co.
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    Of American manufacture, by the J. Chein Toy Company in New York City; this early 1930's vintage tin toy depicts a World War I "Doughboy" or American infantryman wearing his back pack and green "fatigues", and when wound up and released on the floor, he walks along (more like waddles along) in a "happy go lucky" manner ------works great! (see attached video). The toy is in excellent and completely all original condition with no restoration and no touch up paint. The lithography and paint is bright and shows little wear except for a couple of superficial scratches on the back (see images). Dimensions: 6" high x 2 3/4" wide x 2 3/4" deep. Provenance: From a recently acquired prominent collection of vintage tin...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

    Materials

    Tin

  • "Komikal Kop" Tin Wind-Up Toy by Louis Marx Co., circa 1930
    By Louis Marx and Company
    Located in Incline Village, NV
    This is the more rare and desirable variation of this toy, with the dog riding "shotgun", sitting on the running board of the auto. The tin lithographed and hand painted wind-up toy by the Louis Marx Company of New York City, circa 1930, was undoubtedly influenced by Mack Sennett's Keystone Kops series featured in silent films. The toy portrays a New York City policeman, seated behind the steering wheel of a car with his dog by his side on the running board; driving erratically; forward and backwards, left and right; doing "popping wheelies", while spinning his head around in utter confusion attempting to negotiate traffic. The toy works great; just as it did when new, (see the attached 40 second movie with the listing). Simply wind up the fixed clockwork key in place a few times (do not over-wind) and watch the action described above. This "Komikal Kop...
    Category

    Vintage 1930s Folk Art Toys

    Materials

    Tin

You May Also Like

Recently Viewed

View All